Summer Brennan Finds Her Voice In Captivating New Single, "Hear Me"

From Orange County, California, singer-songwriter Summer Brennan captures the frustration of an entire generation with her newest single, "Hear Me."

Growing up influenced by powerhouse artists like Taylor Swift, Stevie Nicks, and Maggie Rogers, Summer has developed a sound that blends the classic with the contemporary. At just 18 years old, her songwriting reflects the emotional complexity of being a young woman navigating a chaotic world, with lyrics that resonate far beyond her years.

Her latest single, "Hear Me," is a prime example. Summer says it represents her "anxieties about what's happening in our world today and that young people don't feel as if they are being heard." But most importantly, it makes you question how societal "norms" like gun violence, exploiting women, and corrupt politics became norms in the first place.

Expanding on "Hear Me," listeners are immediately met with a gentle acoustic guitar alongside Summer's soft, soothing voice. Taking a deeper listen, she delivers the message with vulnerability and strength, layering her personal experiences with broader themes to paint a picture of a chaotic, hellish world. The worst part? The generation wanting to cause the most change is being heard the least.

As the song builds, her vocals become an anthemic chorus, sending chills down the spine. Summer holds nothing back in terms of her lyrical content. It’s the kind of track that resonates deeply for its sound and the emotion packed into each line. And her message is fierce: young people are ready to be heard, and Summer Brennan is leading the charge.

Experience this transformative single yourself and find Summer Brennan's "Hear Me" on all digital streaming platforms.

Welcome to Buzz, Summer! We're head over heels for the emotion in your new single, "Hear Me." What inspired you to write this impactful song?

I was inspired to write this song because, in the past couple of years, I feel like young women and teens my age have been pleading to be heard with the rise of gun violence, the government overturning Roe v Wade, and the rise of the disappearance of girls due to sex trafficking. I felt the restrictions of my freedom closing in and the inability to enact change in my early teen years. I felt no one was listening or saying anything to stop these injustices. Then there was this moment when I remember telling my parents that I couldn't wait to be independent in college and walk around whatever city I was in and have my freedom---and then they cautioned me that I should never walk by myself simply because it is not safe for young women to walk alone. I was stunned and infuriated by the simple notion that my walking home alone was also stripped from me, inspiring me to write this song.

"Hear Me" tackles some significant societal issues. How do you feel music can help bring about change in the world?

Music has the power to bridge different communities and cultures and can highlight a perspective people have either missed or dismissed. I hope my song brings awareness and inspires others to insist on equality and freedom from fear.

What was your songwriting process like for "Hear Me"? Was it challenging to write about such personal themes that an entire generation can relate to?

I started this song, like most of my songs, on my bedroom floor with my keyboard. As I mentioned, I had felt a sense of disappointment and invisibility in society since the pandemic, but it wasn't till I was 17 years old that I finally felt I had the maturity to articulate where these anxious feelings were coming from. The process was natural and fluid when I finally wrote the song, but defining how and what I wanted to say took me some time.

What was your goal in terms of the sound of "Hear Me"? How did you want the song to feel?

I wanted the song to have a force yet sound almost unresolved. This sonic presentation parallels the unresolved conflict we have in our nation.

I wanted the lyrics to resonate with the listener, empowering them with a voice and a clear reminder that history repeats itself if we aren't vigilant.

What do you hope listeners take away from "Hear Me?" What message or feeling do you want to leave them with?

I hope listeners start to understand that we can't wait for change; we need to act, speak out, and vote for change--especially the younger generation and newly 18-year-old voters. I also hope this encourages older people to be more mindful of the kind of world we are leaving for future generations. Marginalized demographics and mass shootings shouldn't be normalized.

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